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A Spanish tapas serving of Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Montaditos

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Montaditos – Easy Spanish Tapas Recipe

Byron
Learn how to make delicious caramelized onion and goat cheese montaditos, a classic Spanish-inspired tapa that's perfect for entertaining. Sweet balsamic caramelized onions, creamy goat cheese, and toasted baguette come together in one simple Mediterranean appetizer that's always a crowd-pleaser.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack, tapas
Cuisine American, French, Mediterranean, Spain, vegetarian
Servings 4 tapas
Calories 415 kcal

Equipment

  • Large cast iron pan or cast iron Dutch oven
  • Wooden Spatula
  • Cutting board
  • Chef knife

Ingredients

  • 1 fresh baguette cut diagonally to make 2.5 cm (1-inch) thick rounds
  • 200 g 3.5 oz fresh goats cheese (room temp is best for spreading)
  • 3 large onions sliced fine (300g / 10.5 oz.)
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp white sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • A few fresh basil leaves whole

Instructions
 

Step 1 - Prepare The Caramelized Onions

  • Heat a cast iron pan on medium high heat.
  • Tip: Now’s a good time to take your goat cheese out the fridge to come to room temp.
    200 g 3.5 oz fresh goats cheese (room temp is best for spreading)
  • Once the pan is hot, add onions without oil and stir frequently. Cook for around 5 minutes.
    3 large onions
  • Add the olive oil, sugar, and salt, stirring constantly to combine the ingredients.
    3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, Salt to taste, 1 tsp white sugar
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook slowly for around 40 minutes, stirring every 8–10 minutes. Add a splash of water whenever the onions begin sticking to the pan.
  • At the 40 minute mark, add the balsamic vinegar and gently stir through the onions. Cook on low for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • Be sure to give the pan edges a good scrape to bring up the flavor.

Step 2 - Toast The Baguette (optional)

  • Toast the sliced baguette rounds under the grill for 1-2 minutes or until lightly golden.
    1 fresh baguette
  • Keep a constant eye on the bread while it toasts, as it will blacken quickly.

Step 3 - Add Toppings

  • First, top the toasted baguette with plenty of goat’s cheese, then add a spoonful of caramelized onion on top. Repeat steps with the remaining ingredients.

Step 4 - Serve

  • Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves and serve.
    A few fresh basil leaves

Notes

Expert Tips: 

Onions: Yellow onions work best because they become beautifully sweet after caramelizing, although white onions also work well.
Cook the onions slow and low: Take your time with the onions and allow them to cook slowly to create a delicious, sweet jammy texture that’s a wonderful mahogany color. 
A little balsamic vinegar goes a long way: Don’t add too much balsamic vinegar or too early. Add 2 tablespoons 15 minutes before the onions are done. 
Goat’s cheese: Use a soft fresh goat cheese log for the easiest spreading. Allow it to come to room temperature before assembling the montaditos.
Bread: A crusty French baguette gives the best texture, but ciabatta or sourdough slices are also excellent.
Keyword caramelized onions, Crowd Pleaser, Dinner party, Easy Appetizers, Easy tapas, Goat cheese, goats cheese, Montaditos, party food, Spanish tapas, tapas, Vegetanrian